Stranded in the Catalina channel!

[Don S]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Yellow spark is really weak, and probably won't even fire under compression. It should be a bright blue/white spark and snap across a 1/2" gap. Fix the yellow spark and make it blue and it will probably run fine. Cap, rotor, coil wire, low voltage to coil, lots of things could cause wimpy spark.

 

[mkino]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Gentlemen, I appreciate your interest! Here are some pics of the distributor area, things look pretty clean. I am thinking maybe just replace the coil and the sensor thing under the rotor? What would you do?

 

[gus-gus]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

It wouldn't hurt to renew those items in the Dist, but I don't see any issues. Maybe your pics are not showing the issue. But I don't see excessive corrosion of busted items. What exactly do you see wrong?

 

[Don S]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

I would be thinking defective/corroded cap, rotor, or coil wire before I thought about the coil even, but I wouldn't even consider the module in the distributor. Have you done any voltage testing, or just going for throwing new parts at it on a hunch?

 

[mkino]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Thanks Don, that looks like great stuff! I will do some testing soon.

I like the idea of preventative maintenance, I have had the boat about ten years and it is about 20 years old, so I would think the coil might be going out soon, if it hasn't already? If I can spend less than a couple hundred on parts, it seems worth it to me.

Of course, hopefully your troubleshooting sheet will help pinpoint the problem, thanks again!

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

$1525.00 to get towed in??? Are you serious? Good God I'm in the wrong business.

I was also thinking that, and thanking God that I bought a boat with twins. We ran back in one time on a single engine, slow going but no big tow bill.

 

[mjfink]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

I was also thinking that, and thanking God that I bought a boat with twins. We ran back in one time on a single engine, slow going but no big tow bill.

Makes SeaTow/TowBoatsUS seem like real cheap insurance when you see tow bills like this. Also, if you know you've got a 1K+ tow bill coming, I'd argue that most people will keep "pushing" an engine that obviously has something wrong with it, sometimes causing even more damage (and cost) trying to avoid the tow.

Moral of this story, if you're boating in open water, get a tow contract from someone reputable.

 

[mkino]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Yes I thought about a tow service when I bought the boat about 11 years ago. At $180 per year, I would have already been out of pocket $1,980. So, economically speaking, unless your boat breaks down a lot it is best just to call when you need and let then gouge you.

Update: Replaced the coil and the sensor under the distributor cap Put new fuel filter on. Tested spark again, it was white, so I thought it was good! Turns over great, won't catch at all ARRGH! Checked to see if there is gas in the carb when the throttle is pumped, not there.

So I will try to troubleshoot the fuel delivery now, even though out on the water that was working fine!?

Just tried to start it up, nothing.

 

[Ryanlewis2010]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

If u can or have a funnel try to force some fuel to the pump i had to prime mine like that b4 it would pump anything (dont know if all pumps have to or what) p.s that only really applies to mechanical as far as i know

 

[Don S]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Pour some gas in the carb and see if it starts. After all the attempts, the carb may just be empty. May take a few attemps before the fuel pump fills the filter and the carb.

 

[mkino]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Don, it will start if I spray starter fluid in the carb, runs for about three seconds.

How much gas would you pour in the carb?

 

[Don S]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Don't use starting fluid, use gas. Start with about a shotglass full and try it a few times.

Do you have an outboard gas tank you could hook up to the fuel pump fitting. If so, hook it up, and pump the fuel bulb. You should hear the filter and carb fill up. Then see if it runs. If it's a 50:1, 2 stroke mix, don't worry about it, it won't hurt a thing.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Don't use starting fluid, use gas. Start with about a shotglass full and try it a few times.

Do you have an outboard gas tank you could hook up to the fuel pump fitting. If so, hook it up, and pump the fuel bulb. You should hear the filter and carb fill up. Then see if it runs. If it's a 50:1, 2 stroke mix, don't worry about it, it won't hurt a thing.

Ayuh,.... Amen to That,...

If ya don't have an outboard tank, a length of 3/8" gas line, 'n any ole gas can can be used to do the same thing...

Just be careful, 'n not be spillin' the gas,...
That's the advantage of the outboard tank, easier to handle...

 

[mkino]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!



YES!!! Thanks Don, it took three tries pouring the gas into the carb, each time it fired up and died after about four seconds. I was about to give up, then the last try it seemed to catch just a little, then it caught!!! Thanks so much for your help!!!

I am pretty sure this sensor was the problem (it is inside the distributor cap, under the rotor), although I also changed the coil and the rotor.

Thanks to all who took an interest. If you have an older mercruiser 454 with thunderbolt ignition, I would recommend changing this part, it didn't take very long (that is, changing the sensor!) and could save you some trouble on the water.

 

[mkino]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Premature celebration!

Just went back out, started up, ran for about three minutes great, then sputtered and died.

Pretty sure there is no fuel, can anyone recommend a thread on testing the fuel pump? ARRGHH!!!

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Premature celebration!

Just went back out, started up, ran for about three minutes great, then sputtered and died.

Pretty sure there is no fuel, can anyone recommend a thread on testing the fuel pump? ARRGHH!!!

Ayuh,.... Is it mechanical, or electric,..??

 

[Don S]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

It should be a mechanical pump on a 91. I had a tee hose made up that I put different fittings on for whatever type carb, and fuel pump I was hooking up to. Then the small Tee fitting in the hose to hook a fuel gauge too. DO NOT cut that steel line just to check fuel pump pressure.

Since you had your fuel filter off, check it again and make sure it's filling up.

Did you pump the throttle and see if you were getting gas out of the accelerator pump jets? Did you try to restart after died after running for 3 minutes? It may have just died from excess fuel, choke to tight or whatever. You still need to check your timing.

 

[mkino]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Fuel pump is mechanical, replaced it last year!

I did try to restart, showed no sign of catching, I don't think fuel is being delivered to the carb.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Fuel pump is mechanical, replaced it last year!

I did try to restart, showed no sign of catching, I don't think fuel is being delivered to the carb.

Ayuh,... So do the fuel tank by-pass explained above,....


Btw,.... Is there any gas in the tank,..??

 

[Don S]

Re: Stranded in the Catalina channel!

Did you check your filter and see if it was filling up? If you can't get fuel to your fuel pump, it's not going to pump fuel to the engine.